Skin treatment systems and methods using needles

ABSTRACT

A device for treating the skin comprises a handpiece assembly having a distal end and a proximal end and a tip on the distal end of the handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly includes a fluid delivery conduit, a waste conduit and/or an energy delivery conduit. Further, the tip is configured to contact the skin. The tip comprises a peripheral lip and a plurality of needles generally positioned within the peripheral lip. The tip also comprises at least one opening in fluid communication with a fluid delivery conduit, at least one opening in fluid communication with a waste conduit and/or an energy contact point in electrical communication with an energy contact point and energy conduit in the main body portion. The plurality of needles may be movable with respect to the peripheral lip through the use of a pneumatic or other force.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/211,089, filed Mar. 14, 2014, which claims thepriority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/788,420, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entireties of bothof which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Field

This application relates generally to skin treatment, and morespecifically, to apparatuses, systems and methods for treating aperson's skin using one or more needles and/or other penetratingmembers.

Description of the Related Art

Abrasion of the outer layer or epidermis of the skin is desirable tosmooth or blend scars, blemishes or other skin conditions that may becaused by, for example, sun exposure, acne, other skin disorders, agingand/or the like. Standard techniques used to abrade the skin havegenerally been separated into two fields referred to as dermabrasion andmicrodermabrasion. In both techniques, portions of the epidermis calledthe stratum corneum are removed. The body then replaces the lost skincells, resulting in a new outer layer of skin. Additionally, despite themild edema and erythema associated with the procedures, the skin looksand feels smoother because of the new outer layer of skin.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments disclosed in the present application, adevice for treating the skin comprises a handpiece assembly having adistal end and a proximal end. The handpiece assembly further comprisesa main body portion and a tip on the distal end of the main bodyportion. In some embodiments, the handpiece assembly includes one ormore fluid delivery conduits, one or more waste conduits and/or one ormore energy conduits. In some embodiments, the handpiece assemblycomprises a cartridge comprising an inner cavity. In addition, thecartridge is coupled to the handpiece assembly with the inner cavity ofthe cartridge being in fluid communication with the fluid deliveryconduit. In some embodiments, the main body portion comprises aninterior volume in which one or more of the conduits can be located.Further, the tip is configured to contact the skin.

In some embodiments, the tip is configured to be removable from the mainbody portion. In some embodiments, the main body portion and tip are asingle unitary piece. The tip comprises a plurality of needles, a basemember, and a peripheral lip, ridge, outer peripheral member or the likeand. The tip can also comprise one or more openings in fluidcommunication with a waste conduit, one or more openings incommunication with a fluid delivery conduit and/or one or more energycontact points in electrical communication with an energy source. Insome embodiments the tip comprises one or more hollow needles, thehollow needles in fluid communication with a fluid delivery conduit. Insome embodiments, one or more of the needles in the tip is in electricalcommunication with an energy conduit. In some embodiments, the handpieceassembly includes a source of pressure (e.g. pneumatic pressure)configured to move the plurality of needles and/or the base member withrespect to the peripheral lip of the tip.

According to some embodiments disclosed in the present application, amethod of treating the skin includes providing a handpiece assemblycomprising a body and a tip having a distal end. The handpiece assemblyincludes a waste conduit and a fluid delivery conduit that are in fluidcommunication with the distal end of the tip. The tip comprises aperipheral lip and a plurality of needles. The method further includesplacing the delivery conduit of the handpiece assembly in fluidcommunication with a fluid source for delivering at least one treatmentfluid to the distal end of the tip and placing the waste conduit of thehandpiece assembly in fluid communication with a suction source forremoving waste materials from the distal end of the tip. In addition,the method comprises placing the peripheral lip the tip in contact witha person's skin. The method further comprises activating the suctionsource and causing the plurality of needles to penetrate the person'sskin. The method also comprises delivering a treatment fluid to thedistal end of the tip. In some embodiments, the treatment fluidcomprises human growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen,antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, water, saline and/or any otherfluids or materials, either alone or in combination.

According to other embodiments disclosed in the present application, amethod of treating the skin comprises providing a handpiece assemblycomprising a body and a tip having a distal end. The tip comprises aperipheral lip and a plurality of hollow needles. The handpiece assemblyincludes a waste conduit in fluid communication with the distal end ofthe tip and a delivery conduit in communication with the plurality ofhollow needles. In addition, the method comprises placing the peripherallip of the tip in contact with a person's skin. The method furthercomprises activating the suction source and causing the plurality ofneedles to penetrate the person's skin. The method also comprisesdelivering a treatment fluid to the plurality of hollow needles. In someembodiments, the treatment fluid comprises human growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums,water, saline, dermal fillers, hot or cold vapors and/or gases and/orany other fluids or materials, either alone or in combination.

According to other embodiments disclosed in the present application, amethod of treating the skin comprises providing a handpiece assemblycomprising a body and a tip having a distal end. The tip comprises aperipheral lip and a plurality of needles. The handpiece assemblyincludes a waste conduit in fluid communication with the distal end ofthe tip and an energy conduit in communication with the plurality ofneedles. In addition, the method comprises placing the peripheral lipthe tip in contact with a person's skin. The method further comprisesactivating the suction source and causing the plurality of needles topenetrate the person's skin. The method also comprises delivering energyto the plurality of needles, thus causing damage to the skin. In someembodiments, the energy source comprises radio frequency (e.g. RFenergy), ultrasound, and/or microwave energy.

According to the embodiments disclosed in the present application, amethod of treating the skin can further include using pneumatic or otherappropriate force to move the plurality of needles and/or the basemember with respect to the peripheral lip of the tip. The plurality ofneedles and/or the base member can be moved in this manner to apredetermined depth in the patient's skin. According to the embodimentsdisclosed in the present application, the methods of using needles totreat the skin as described above can be utilized in conjunction withother microdermabrasion treatments. The use of needles could occurbefore, during, after or in lieu of other microdermabrasion treatments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the main body portionand tip assembly, as well as additional embodiments of the tip.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the main body portionand tip assembly showing a fluid delivery conduit positioned within arecess in the main body portion.

FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of an embodiment of the tip.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the tip along cuttingplane A-A of FIG. 3 showing a tip having multiple openings in fluidcommunication with a suction conduit.

FIG. 4A is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the tip alongcutting plane A-A of FIG. 3 showing tip having one opening in fluidcommunication with a suction conduit.

FIG. 5 is the same view from FIG. 4 where the needles are penetratingthe skin of a patient.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the tip along cuttingplane A-A of FIG. 3 showing hollow needles in fluid communication with afluid delivery conduit.

FIG. 6A is the same view as FIG. 6 showing a single fluid deliveryconduit in fluid communication with the hollow needles.

FIG. 7 is the same view from FIG. 6 where the needles are penetratingthe skin of a patient.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the tip along cuttingplane A-A of FIG. 3 showing the needles penetrating the skin of apatient and showing the needles emitting energy to the skin.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the tip along cuttingplane A-A of FIG. 3 showing a movable interior tip portion in twopositions with respect to the peripheral lip of the tip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a handpiece assembly 100 fortreating the skin. As shown, the assembly 100 generally comprises a mainbody portion 110 with a distal end 111 and a proximal end 113. Theassembly 100 comprises a tip 160 configured to engage with the distalend 111 of the main body portion 110. The tip 160 can be removable fromthe main body portion 110. The tip 160 and main body portion 110 canalso be manufactured as a unitary construction. The distal end 111 ofthe main body portion 110 can include one or more O-rings 116 or othersealing members. The O-rings 116 can engage with the tip skirt portion162 so as to create a seal between the tip 160 and the main body portion110. The main body portion can include one or more fluid deliveryopenings 134 in or along the distal end of the main body portion, aswell as one or more suction openings 132 and energy contact points 136.A fluid delivery opening 134 can connect to a fluid source 124 via afluid delivery conduit 184 in the main body portion 110, a suctionopening 132 can connect to a suction source 122 via a suction conduit182 in the main body portion 110, and an energy contact point 136 canconnect to an energy source 126 via an energy conduit 186 in main bodyportion 110.

In some embodiments, the tip 160 comprises a tip skirt portion 162, abase member 165, a peripheral lip 164, a plurality of needles 166 andone or more tip ports 168. The needles within the plurality of needles166 can be of uniform length and diameter or may vary in length (e.g.0.5-2.5 mm) and/or diameter. The needles can comprise surgical steel(e.g., stainless steel), plastic and/or any other material suitable forpenetrating the skin. The one or more tip ports 168 can engage with thefluid delivery openings 134, suction openings 132 and/or the contactpoints 136 along or near the distal end 111 of the main body portion110. The peripheral lip 164 can have many shapes, as shown in theembodiments 160A, 160B of the tip 160 in FIG. 1. The tip 160 can have arectangular peripheral lip 164, a rounded or oval peripheral lip 164A, atriangular peripheral lip 164B or any other shaped lip.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a handpiece assembly 200 for treating theskin where the handpiece assembly 200 generally comprises a main bodyportion 210 and a tip 260. A fluid source point 224 can be locatedwithin a hollowed out portion 252 of the main body portion 210 and isconnected to a fluid delivery opening 234 via a fluid delivery conduit284. This embodiment could allow for the use of a fluid cartridge as afluid source. For example, the fluid cartridge could fit into thehollowed-out portion 252 of the main body portion 210 and could engagewith the fluid source point 224. The main body portion 210 could alsocomprise one or more O-rings 216 or other sealing members that canengage with the tip 260 to provide a seal between the tip 260 and themain body portion 210. The tip 260 can be removable from the main bodyportion 210. Alternatively, the main body portion 210 and tip 260 can bemanufactured as a single unitary part.

As shown in FIG. 3, a tip 160 can comprise a peripheral lip 164, aplurality of needles 166, a base member 165 and one or more tip ports168. In some embodiments, the tip additionally comprises a tip skirtportion 162. In one embodiment, the tip skirt portion 162, the basemember 165 and the peripheral lip 164 can be adjustable with respect toeach other or can be constructed as a unitary part. The plurality ofneedles 166 can be coated with anti-oxidant or other skin nutrient.Additionally, a liquid-soluble material could be embedded in the surfaceof the needles 166. As shown in FIG. 4, an embodiment of the tip 160 canhave one or more fluid delivery points 144 and one or more suctionpoints 142. FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of the tip 160 where there is asingle fluid delivery point 144 and a single suction point 142.

In some embodiments, when the tip 160 is applied to the skin 180 of apatient, suction 178 generated though one or more suction points 142 onthe tip can pull the skin 180 onto the plurality of needles 166, asshown in FIG. 5. Contact between the skin 180 and the peripheral lip 164can create a seal around the treated area of skin 180. The plurality ofneedles 166 can be sized and the suction 178 can be applied in such away that the needles 166 penetrate the epidermal layer of the skin 180.During treatment, treatment fluids 174 can be delivered to the skin viaone or more fluid delivery points 144. Waste and excess fluids can beremoved from the treated area of skin 180 via the one or suction points142. This treatment could occur before, during, after or in lieu ofother microdermabrasion or other skin treatment procedures.

Hollow needles 366 can also be utilized for treatment of the skin, asshown in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8. In a hollow needle embodiment, forexample, treatment fluids 374 can be delivered at least partially intothe skin 180 via hollow needles 366. The plurality of needles 366 can becoated with anti-oxidant or other skin nutrient. Additionally, afluid-soluble material could be embedded in the surface of the needles366. In some embodiments, one or more suction conduits 342 can providesuction 378 to assist in pulling the skin 180 onto the needles 366 andremoving waste and/or excess fluids from the skin and/or the treatmentsurface. In addition, one or more fluid delivery points 344 can beplaced in fluid communication with one or more of the hollow needles366. Treatment fluids 374 can include, without limitation, liquids,dermal fillers, hot or cold vapors, gases and/or the like. By way ofexample, when delivering vapors and/or gases to the skin 180, one ormore of the hollow needles 366 can be configured to penetrate into thesecondary layer of the epidermis of the skin 180. The use of hollowneedles 366 to treat the skin 180 can occur before, during, after or inlieu of other skin treatments, as desired or required.

The plurality of needles 466 can also be used to delivery energy 446 tothe skin 180, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, energy 446is delivered via hollow needles and/or solid needles. When deliveringenergy to the skin 180, one or more of the plurality of needles 466 canbe configured to penetrate into the secondary layer of the epidermis ofthe skin 180. The source of the energy 446 can be radiofrequency (e.g.RF energy), microwave, ultrasound and/or any other source of energy 126appropriate for treating the skin 180. Using energy 446 can at leastpartially damage the skin 180 and help trigger a beneficial healing ortissue repair response. Use of energy 446 to treat the skin 180 can beperformed before, during, after or in lieu of other skin treatments.

In addition to or in lieu of the use of suction 578 to pull the skin 180onto a plurality of needles 566, the plurality of needles 566 and/orbase member 565 can be moved with respect to the peripheral lip 564, asshown in FIG. 9. In an embodiment, a force 506 (e.g. pneumatic,mechanical, etc.) is used to move the plurality of needles 566 and/orbase member 565 a distance 6 with respect to the peripheral lip 564. Thedistance 6 could be varied in order to achieve an optimal, adequateand/or preferred depth of penetration of the skin 180 by the needles566. The force 506 can be used in combination with or instead of suction578, and may be used with embodiments having hollow and/or solid needles566. The force 506 can also be used in embodiments where energy 446 isdelivered to the skin 180 via the plurality of needles 566.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the tip, the handpieceassembly and/or any other component or device can include rigid and/orsemi-rigid materials. For example, the tips can comprise one or morethermoplastics, other polymeric materials, rubbers, metals and/or thelike. Accordingly, the tips can be manufactured using any suitablemethod, such as, for example, injection or compression molding,thermoforming, other molding methods, casting and/or the like. The tipscan be disposable so that they are used once or only for a limitednumber of times. Alternatively, the tips can be reused. Therefore, insuch embodiments, the tips are preferably configured to withstand therequired cleaning, sterilizing and/or disinfecting procedures to whichthey may be exposed. In addition, any of the tips disclosed herein,either directly or by reference, can be used in wet and/or dry systems.In general, wet systems include skin treatment devices, assemblies orsystems in which serums, other fluids and/or other materials areconveyed to the tip during the procedure. On the other hand, dry systemsinclude skin treatment devices, assemblies or systems in which serums,other fluids and/or other materials are generally not conveyed to thetip during the procedure.

As discussed, one or more fluids or other substances can be delivered tothe tip of a handpiece assembly during a skin treatment procedure. Insome embodiments, such fluids and/or other materials can be storedwithin a cartridge that is secured to the handpiece assembly.Alternatively, these fluids and/or other materials can be stored in acanister or other container that is separate from the handpieceassembly. In such arrangements, as discussed herein, the handpieceassembly can be placed in fluid communication with one or morecontainers using conduits or other fluid lines.

In some embodiments, human growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen,antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, matrix proteins, other proteins, serums,water, saline, other fluids and/or other materials can be delivered tothe skin during a treatment procedure. Such materials can be deliveredindividually or as part of a mixture. Such materials or combination ofmaterials can be provided in a cartridge or other container, which, asdiscussed, can be placed in fluid communication with a handpieceassembly. These treatment fluids and other materials, either alone or incombination, can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, agespots, scarring and/or other skin conditions. In addition, such fluidsand/or other materials can help to reduce skin roughness, to rejuvenatethe skin and/or improve skin texture. Further, such fluids or othertreatment materials can provide one or more other therapeutic, aestheticor other benefits to a user's skin.

In any of the embodiments described and/or illustrated herein, orvariations thereof, treatment fluids and/or other materials can bedelivered to the tip of a handpiece assembly using one or more ways. Forexample, in some embodiments, serums or other substances can bedelivered through a vial, cartridge, supply canister, fluid bottle(e.g., included in a larger manifold or multiple fluid distributionsystem) and/or the like. Such serums, compositions, other fluids orsubstances can be pre-mixed so that they are delivered to the tip andthe skin unmodified or substantially unmodified.

In other embodiments, serums, fluids, gels or other materials can be inthe form of a pack container dry granular material, viscous gels and/orthe like. Such packs can be mixed with water or some other fluid by auser to a desired concentration. In other embodiments, one or moretreatment materials can be impregnated or otherwise embedded into thetips of the handpiece assemblies. Thus, such materials (e.g., powers,solids, gels, etc.) can advantageously dissolve when they contact water,saline or some other liquid. In still other embodiments, the treatmentmaterials can be contained within a capsule, tablet or other enclosure.Such enclosures can be configured to dissolve when placed in water orsome other fluid. Therefore, a user may be required to place a capsule,the contents of a pack or some other materials into a cartridge,canister or other container and add water, saline or other fluid beforeuse.

In some embodiments, one or more serums or other substances can bedelivered to the treatment surface of a handpiece assembly to treat aparticular skin condition. For example, the system can be used to treatacne, dry or oily skin, fine lines, sun-damaged skin, other skindiseases or disorders and/or like.

In some embodiments, the serums, other materials and/or a combination ofsuch serums or other materials can be utilized for the treatment ofsubstantially most or all skin types. For example, such serums and/orother materials can be used when the handpiece assembly exfoliates skin.

In another embodiment, the serums, other materials and/or a combinationof such serums or other materials can be used during a follow-up (e.g.,secondary, tertiary, etc.) or finish treatment step. For example, suchserums and/or other materials can be used to hydrate the skin and/orlighten treat skin damage, either in lieu of or in addition toexfoliating skin. In such embodiments, the serums and/or other materialscan comprise human growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen, matrixproteins, other proteins, anti-oxidants, hyaluronic acid and/or thelike.

In yet other embodiments, the serums, other materials and/or acombination of such serums or other materials can be used to target acneor oily skin conditions. Other serums, other materials and/orcombinations of such serums or other materials can be used to target oneor more types of skin conditions or treatments. Further, a particulartreatment procedure can include or use one, two or more of such serumsor other materials during various treatment phases (e.g., exfoliation,finish or polishing treatment, post-treatment, etc.).

In some embodiments, one or more kits can be developed that target aspecific type of user, skin condition, desired result and/or the like.For example, such a kit can comprise serums and/or other materials thattarget teenage acne. As discussed, the serums and/or other materialscontained in such kits can be in one or more different forms, such as,for example, liquids, gels, other fluids, powders, solids and/or thelike. In some embodiments, such serums and/or other materials can beconfigured for immediate use. Alternatively, a particular amount ofwater, saline or other liquids, other dilution or dissolving agentsand/or the like may need to be added to the serums and/or othermaterials to get them to a usable state. Kits can include one or morecartridges or other containers that are configured to be placed onto andremoved from a handpiece assembly as discussed herein.

In addition, depending on who the target user is (e.g., teenagers,adults, etc.) and/or how severe a particular condition is, theconcentration or strength of the serums and/or other materials can bevaried. For example, for younger users, a kit directed at acne treatmentcan comprise lower concentrations of serums and/or other materials. Byway of another example, kits comprising higher concentrations orstrengths of serums and/or other materials can be used to treat oilyskin or acne in adults. In another embodiment, a kit can be developed totarget users whose skin is generally typical (e.g., the users' skin isnot abnormally dry or oily, the users do not have excessive amount ofacne or scarring, etc.).

As discussed, the kits can include one, two or more different types oftreatment combinations. For example, a kit can comprise a firstcombination of serum(s) and/or other material(s) that is intended totarget the exfoliation of skin. The same kit may include a secondtreatment combination that can be used in a follow-up treatment to treatoily skin or the like. In other embodiments, however, a kit can comprisemore or fewer treatment combinations, as desired or required by aparticular skin treatment procedure.

The systems, apparatuses, devices and/or other articles disclosed hereinmay be formed through any suitable means. The various methods andtechniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out thevarious concepts disclosed herein. Of course, it is to be understoodthat not necessarily all objectives or advantages described may beachieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein.Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that themethods may be performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes oneadvantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarilyachieving other objectives or advantages as may be taught or suggestedherein.

Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeabilityof various features from different embodiments disclosed herein.Similarly, the various features and steps discussed above, as well asother known equivalents for each such feature or step, can be mixed andmatched by one of ordinary skill in this art to perform methods inaccordance with principles described herein. Additionally, the methodswhich are described and illustrated herein are not limited to the exactsequence of acts described, nor are they necessarily limited to thepractice of all of the acts set forth. Other sequences of events oracts, or less than all of the events, or simultaneous occurrence of theevents, may be utilized in practicing the embodiments disclosed herein.

Although the certain concepts have been disclosed in the context ofcertain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that the scope of the concepts disclosed herein extendsbeyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternativeembodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating the skin of a patient, themethod comprising: placing the working end of a skin treatment deviceagainst a portion of the skin of the patient wherein the skin treatmentdevice comprises: a working end that includes a plurality of needlesconfigured to engage and penetrate the skin and positioned on a planeparallel to a peripheral lip on the working end of the skin treatmentdevice; causing the plurality of needles to penetrate the skin; andremoving the working end of the skin treatment device from the portionof skin.